BARROW RAIDERS 27

DEWSBURY RAMS 20

BARROW Raiders registered their second victory of the season, but were given an almighty scare by the Rams who fought back from a half time deficit of 26-4 to narrow the gap to 26-20.

Hopes of an away win were dashed in the 79th minute when Ryan Johnston struck a drop goal.

It was really a game of two halves with Barrow well in control in the first 40 minutes as they ran in four tries in a nine-minute spell to edge out at 26-4.

But then it all turned sour in the second period which was held up for 45 minutes due to a medical alarm on the terraces.

Barrow were slow out of the block, while the Rams were on fire, as for most of the half they ran the hosts ragged.

They threw the ball around in style with the Raiders back pedalling and were well worthy of their comeback only to come up short.

Barrow, well led by the energetic Charlie Emslie were first with points on the board in the fifth minute, when after good approach work from Tom Walker, on hand to dot the ball down was Tom Wilkinson despite the attention of three would-be tacklers. Ryan Shaw tagged on the goal 6-0.

Dewsbury were soon to hit back, Paul Sykes and Bailey Dawson sent Ollie Greensmith to the line, but he was held short.

However, the lively Jacob Hookem sent Dawson in at the corner for an unconverted try 6-4.

And it was Hookem who sent a neat kick to the corner for Perry Whiteley to strike only for the ball to go into touch by the flag.

Curtius Davies was next to head to the home line only for great covering from Creswell and Bullman to halt his progress.

Barrow survived and the rest of the half they were in full control scoring those four tries with classy attacking play.

The first coming from Kavan Rothwell. who had just come onto the field. He was on the end of good approach work from Creswell and Costello, the goal from Shaw making it 12-4.

Within two minutes it was 16-4. From the restart the ball went deep into Barrow territory where Ellis Gillam gathered.

The rangy forward broke clear parting to Shaw who made good yards before sending Broadbent racing in from 40 yards out no goal.

Barrow were getting on top and a strong drive from Gillam saw him hauled down a foot short, but from the play the ball, Rothwell was forcing his way over for Shaw to convert 22-4.

Dewsbury had no answer and went further in arrears when Forber sent Costello over the line 26-4.

The half closed with the Rams denied a try when Carr swept in at the corner, only for a forward pass to be ruled.

Shaw did cross for Barrow in the second minute of the second half, but like Carr was denied due to a forward pass being ruled.

Then it was the Rams to take charge, Hookem bulldozing his way over for Sykes to convert 26-10.

The visitors were playing fast open rugby and came back strong with Owen Restall racing over in the corner, Sykes tagging on the goal 26-16.

Barrow were all at sea and unable to slow the Rams down, and swift handling across the line saw the gap appear for Marcus Walker to stroll over out wide, Sykes failed to convert, and it was game on at 26-20.

Raiders’ defence began to take control with some excellent work keeping the Rams at bay and as the clock ticked down to 80 minutes, strong forward play set up Johnston to drop a vital goal and a seven-point cushion to seal victory.

Barrow: Creswell, Bulman, Costello, Broadbent, Shaw, B Walker, Johnston, T Walker, Wood, Silva, Clarke, Emslie, Wilkinson. Subs: Forber, Rothwell, Gillam, Burke. Referee Mr Ryan Cox. Attendance 1675. Mail Man of the Match Charlie Emslie.